“I Was Almost Terrified”: Breaking Stigma to Face Painful End in 2019, Dwyane Wade and Wife Gabrielle Disclose Contrasting Ways of Handling Anxiety

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade were on the cover of Parents magazine’s first-ever digital issue to get candid about a lot of things they deal with as a family. The couple has kept the family united through a lot of ups and downs. They even relocated their family to California for their trans daughter, Zaya, and her well-being. On the outside, they’re a loved-up pair and parents doing their best. But they have their moments of vulnerability.

D-Wade and Gab have endured personal struggles they’ve had to overcome. They’re an inspiring unit as they are. But they also work on themselves. The former NBA pro and the acclaimed actress revealed how they put their mental health on top.

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union on mental health

Parenting is not an easy job already. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are navigating the full-time life in the public spotlight. They shared all their perspectives about parenting and family with Parents recently. And it was revelatory.

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Parents can get burned out too. Sometimes it’s important for them to prioritize themselves. Wade and his wife know that well and navigate their mental health in their own ways.

‘The Flash’ has dealt with the pressures of professional athletic life. His way of dealing with it also reflects how far basketball is ingrained in him. “I get up at 5 a.m. to work out,” he answered about taking care of his mental health.

He went on to describe how he keeps his care in his own hands. “I also meditate just to put my mind and heart where it needs to go. I do a lot of different things outside of seeing a therapist.” 

On the other hand, the 50-year-old actress takes care of her mental health differently. She’s a survivor and dealt with some traumatic situations in her life. So she relies on a professional for better management and taking time for herself.

She revealed, “I had to take off last week because I was having extreme anxiety out of the blue. I was almost terrified to take time off for myself because so many people are counting on me. I’ve never really taken mental health time to protect my peace and speak with trained professionals and sit in silence in nature to calm my body and mind.”

Union and Wade weren’t mincing words. Their honesty is a great example for parents to accept they need to be taken care of too.

A WNBA star helped the couple

Zaya Wade was a major topic in this interview. She came out as transgender in 2019 at the age of 12. Her dad has since done his best to learn and be a supportive parent. Dwyane and the entire Wade brood have come together to support Zaya and become vocal allies of the LGBTQ+ community.

The couple has been front and center supporting Zaya’s rising modeling career too. But they also share their fears for her safety. It’s what made them move from Florida to California.

Union in particular has dealt with unjustified commentary in her public life. She usually has a clapback to all the negativity but it does affect the Hollywood actress. At such times, she has a strong support system to rely on.

She shared one such support on Instagram recently in the form of a gift. WNBA champion, A’ja Wilson, wrote an unpublished manuscript to inspire young black girls. Union was especially inspired by Wilson’s message.

D-Wade and Union are strong advocates for social justice and reform, particularly for black youth and the LGBTQ+ communities. Their relentless work in this regard continues to inspire other parents.

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